Cutting Corners on Landmark Windows?
We’ve been watching the renovation of this 5-story brownstone in Clinton Hill with interest as the property was a bit of a run-down eyesore for quite some time before the owner finally geared up at the end of last year to convert the thing to condos. Last week we were struck by what’s happening with…
We’ve been watching the renovation of this 5-story brownstone in Clinton Hill with interest as the property was a bit of a run-down eyesore for quite some time before the owner finally geared up at the end of last year to convert the thing to condos. Last week we were struck by what’s happening with the windows. This is in a landmark district so presumably the owner got the windows approved by LPC. But if you look carefully at the windows on the side of the house, there is a gap of probably three or four inches between the top of the window and the frame, suggesting that someone screwed up the measurements or perhaps took a financial shortcut and didn’t buy custom-sized windows. Given what’s happened on the side, we wonder whether the framing that was just put into the front windows suggests that the windows here will be similarly undersized? Any thoughts?
I am in the beginning stages of looking into replacing landmark windows with new LPC-approved windows. Anyone have any tips or recommendations re: acquiring LPC-approved windows, contractors for installation, and what the LPC approval process involves? Input much appreciated!
Yente, that’s the point, it is not a third world country. It is a landmarked block with specific regulations regarding exterior renovations to preserve the character and high craftsmanship of the nabe. Don’t like the nitpicking, fine, done move into a landmarked neighborhood. Worried more about third world poverty, then go an volunteer or donate money, I’d support you in that, but we can’t tell others what to care about.
I’m sorry. Maybe some of you need to step outside your boxes so you’d care about larger issues. Take a trip to a third world country where people live in shacks. I think they’d be happy to have ANY windows. It would be really mean and trivial to report the owners of this building, but go on…you obviously have nothing better to do.
We only wish we had a trust fund! It’s called debt, the American dream.
Anon 9.36pm. People who buy and live in landmarked areas, and pay a premium for it, do it specifically because they know that landmark restrictions hold property owners to higher standard when it comes to external renovations and restoration. That’s why people who actually live in such neighborhoods get concerned when a neighbor appears to be cutting corners, it affects the rest of the block if a mediocre job it done in violation of landmark restrictions.
anon 9:36pm. i am not a trust fund kid like you think brownstoner is, i live on the block, am african american and have concerns. we are trying to make the block a nicer place. people in brooklyn heights wouldn’t stand for mediocrity why should we? the blog is about brownstones, perhaps you need to get a life because if you’re not interested in these subjects you need to be doing something else!
ok… unhealthy obsession doesnt even describe it… I mean really…. get a life. Not everyone has the same trust fund as Brownstoner… and not everyone has as much time as to be concerned about a 3 inch gap in a side window of a building that is CURRENTLY UNDERGOING renovation. At least LPC dorks get paid to monitor and rule on this stuff.
How do you know it’s not just a temporary fix until the right size window arrives?????
You just throw some random idea out there and the rest of your Brownstoner fascist crew eats it up.
2:25 – its quite possible the windows were not the same front to back historically. 2/2 windows would have been cheaper, and therefore more likely to be used on a secondary elevation.
this building is on the corner of grand and gates. the corcoran listing is on the corner of grand and greene above “the hole in the wall” store. this building has maintained it’s architecutural integrity, they have all of the stuff stored away. the corcoran listing is not nearly as nice as this one.